Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women

Join us for an engaging book discussion exploring the untold stories and powerful legacies of America’s First Ladies through the lens of acclaimed author, White House expert and Bridgeport native, Anita McBride. Highlighting her groundbreaking publication, McBride will discuss the evolving role of the First Lady and how these influential women have shaped American history, society, and global diplomacy.

Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women – co-authored by Anita B. McBride, Diana B. Carlin, and Nancy Kegan Smith is a groundbreaking exploration of how first ladies have shaped the American presidency and the nation. Blending biographical and thematic chapters, the book highlights the evolving role of the first lady and the lasting impact of these influential women on civil rights, political campaigns, diplomacy, and the White House itself. From Martha Washington to Dr. Jill Biden, Remember the First Ladies brings their achievements and legacies vividly to life, revealing how they have broken barriers and influenced history at home and around the world.

Anita McBride is a globally recognized expert on White House operations and the legacies of U.S. First Ladies. With over 20 years of senior service under Presidents Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush – including serving as Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush – she helped shape major domestic and global initiatives spanning education, women’s health, cultural preservation, and diplomacy.

Smithsonian Magazine Review- Best Books of 2024 – Recommended by Elizabeth C. Babcock, director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum
“…Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women provides a timely consideration of the often overlooked, yet influential ways in which presidential spouses have shaped America…Well-researched and drawing on memorable primary sources, this thought-provoking book brings these women to life in a way that enriches our public discourse about gender, politics and presidential leadership, and provides a critically important perspective about women in American history.”